MICROMERIA MYRTIFOLIA

Family and Genus:- See- LABIATAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Micromeria juliana var. myrtifolia, Satureja myrtifolia.

Meaning:- Micromeria (Gr) Small-parts, reference to the small flowers.

Myrtifolia (L) Myrtle-leaved.

General description:- Woody-based, dwarf, hairy perennial shrub.

Stems:-

1) 10-40 cm, several, ascending to erect, simple or sparingly branched, retrorsely

pubescent.

Leaves:-

1) Leaf pairs well separated.

2) Short-petiolate, blade, 4-8 mm, ovate-elliptical, with inconspicuous lateral veins,

sparsely pubescent.

Flower:-

1) Lower verticillasters, distant, upper ± confluent, all consisting of 2 very dense,

short-pedunculate, 6-12-flowered, subglobose cymes.

2) Corolla, with a slightly curved tube, with 2 lips, the higher one helmet-shaped, the

lower one with three lobes.

3) Calyx, c. 3.5 mm, straight, villous in the throat and patent-pilose throughout,

teeth, narrowly triangular, erect, 1/3 as long as the tube.

4) Stamens, 4 including 2 longer, fused on the tube of the corolla.

Fruit:- Nutlets, obtuse.

Key features:-

1) Cauline leaves, with inconspicuous lateral veins.

2) Verticillasters, dense, consisting of 2 short-pedunculate, 6-12-?owered

subglobose cymes.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Rocky slopes with dry open shrubby vegetation, Quercus coccifera scrub,

olive groves and open coniferous woodland, generally over limestone. 0-700(-1200)

Distribution:- Mediterranean region and SW Asia to W Iran.Limited distribution on

Crete mainly in the east and west of the island.

Flowering time:- Apr-July.

Photos by:- Zacharias Angourakis